Bishop of Corfu, Mr. Nektarios: “The ones in power use their words to mock our Church”

Bishop of Corfu, Mr. Nektarios: “The ones in power use their words to mock our Church”

On Tuesday afternoon, December 11, 2018, the Panegyrical Vesper took place on the memory of Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, the Wonderworker, with his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios and the presence of many people.

His Eminence, in his preaching, referred to a phrase from Saint’s Apolytikion: “ with your miraculous speech, you stopped rivers.” Noted that there is also the human words that we use in order to communicate, express our thoughts or even persuade others, while there is also the Word, the second Face of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ, who became human and saved us from destruction and death.

Moreover, the Bishop of Corfu counted three elements of spiritual words, that is the one from the heart, the sanctifying and the miraculous. Saint Spyridon had all of the three words. Firstly, he used the one from the heart to stop the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit, during the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. Secondly, he pleased Lord with his virtuous life and Christ glorified him back, by keeping with His Grace, his body indestructible, for centuries, making it real example of life, eternity, and the pre-taste of Resurrection throughout the centuries. Thirdly, Saint Spyridon did so many miracles, being alive but also after his departure to Heavens, stating Jesus Christ to humans.

Referring to the present time, his Eminence noted with regret that the ones in power, for the most part, use their word to mock our Holy Church and deceive people with all kinds of lies. A very recent pan-European poll, however, shows clearly that young Greeks aged up to 34 years old, in particular, declare their faith in Christ and fully identify religion with Greece. Of all the countries that conducted this survey, our country ranked third. The top positions are Armenia and Georgia. Our people are constantly sending messages to these “gentlemen” who have been forced to discredit our homeland religiously and nationally, making it a neutral state. On the contrary, Greeks are participating in the ecclesiastical congregations and they are paying the proper respect to the flag and sacred symbols of our Nation. In vain, then, the New Order of Things tries to alienate us from our Lord of Faith, for the overwhelming majority of Greeks do not want it and will not allow it to anyone. As the Fathers of our Church say, the man alienated from God becomes either bestial or demonic.
In closing, Mr. Nektarios wished St. Spyridon to his faithful, through his embassies, to cover and bless them.
Finally, it is noted that the Service of the Vesper was chanted by the School of Ecclesiastical Music of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu “Saint Arsenios”.